Bob Flesher's Banjos

Subject: Bob Flesher's Banjos
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 09 Oct 00 - 08:32 PM

Hello Gang, A few nights ago I went looking for banjo makers and fell across Bob Fesher's site.. God these are beautifull looking instroments.. WWW.flesherbanjo.com .. My question is has anyone played his banjos and more importantly what do they sound like.. I think they have to be unbeleivable for what I see put into them but I would love some feed back...For pure beauty please go have a look.. All my best to my old freinds he

Subject: RE: Bob Flesher's Banjos
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 09 Oct 00 - 09:17 PM

Guy, Tahnks for the link. I know nothing about them but have just visited the website. I reckon it deserves a clicky.

Jon

Subject: RE: Bob Flesher's Banjos
From: Gypsy
Date: 09 Oct 00 - 10:05 PM

You're a good man, Jon. Thanks to your blue clicky, I can send tormenting pix to our beloved banjo player.

Subject: RE: Bob Flesher's Banjos
From: GutBucketeer
Date: 09 Oct 00 - 10:48 PM

There was a very lenghty discussion on the Banjo-L list last month on Flesher Banjos vs Wildwoods.

You can see the archives from the Banjo-L here:

http://listproc.ucdavis.edu/archives/banjo-l/

From all I've seen and read he makes very very good banjos.

Oh, if I had the money !!!

JAB

Subject: RE: Minstrel Banjos
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 09 Oct 00 - 11:16 PM

Before you lay down yer dough, check out George Wunderlich's instruments:
http://www.wunderbanjo.com/
I have met George and his handmade banjos at reenactments, and for quality workmanship and authenticity i know of none finer. I have Bob Flesher's instruction book and tapes for the "stroke" Minstrel style, and he is a lot of fun to listen to if you like that old timey pickin', as i do. His "Wizzard Oil" tape is a real hoot! What kind of banjos he makes and how they compare to George's, I can't tell ye, but you might want to do some comparison shoppin', as these things ain't cheap! If you are a handy sport with wood, you could set yerself down & make one! A lot of the old Minstrel banjos were pretty crude, primitive affairs by today's standards, and very simple replicas I've seen sound surprisingly good! Some even dispensed with rings and clamps and just tacked the skin head over the hoop - like a tamborine - and let 'er be; good 'nuf, I suppose!

Subject: RE: Bob Flesher's Banjos
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 10 Oct 00 - 12:25 AM

Hello all, Jon , Thanks for the blue thingggy. JAB I will go have a look and thanks.. Uncle Jaque I'm going to try and hook up the Torington Ct Historical so with George.. Torington is the town James AShborn made his great early banjos (1850's) and they have asked me to go looking for an example of his work.. If I can'r find one I think replicating could be an interesting project for all involved.. If you dont have a copy go find "America's Instroment" by Phillip Gura & JAmes Bolland (of Music Emporium FAme).. It's a great book on 19'th century banjos..

Subject: RE: Bob Flesher's Banjos
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 06 Dec 04 - 07:01 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Bob Flesher's Banjos
From: cool hand Tom
Date: 06 Dec 04 - 07:36 PM

Lovely banjoes
               Iv been playing banjo many years and i must say them banjoes are purty.Iv had many in my time and now play a Merlin the banjo Luke kelly played(all aluminium with chrome plate)but in the future ill know where to look,thanks for link and info.

    The marvelous mechanical Merlin
                                    Tom

Subject: RE: Bob Flesher's Banjos
From: BanjoRay
Date: 06 Dec 04 - 08:16 PM

If you go to Loren Hicks' website, you can hear 4 tracks of Loren, a Canadian banjo player, playing a banjo that was custom made for him by Bob Flesher. The banjo's called a Grand Dame Quadroon - great name!
Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: Bob Flesher's Banjos
From: GUEST,Chip Arnold
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 01:33 PM

Also take a good look at Lo Gordon's work at Cedar Mountain Banjos. Lo is making some of the finest Old Time banjos anywhere. These banjos have block pots and wood "tone rims"....but go to his site and let him tell you about them.

http://www.cedarmtnbanjos.com/

Usual disclaimers...Lo is a friend but I have no $ interest in his work.

Chip

Subject: RE: Bob Flesher's Banjos
From: GUEST,Greg
Date: 19 Dec 04 - 10:17 AM

I have owned and played one of Bob Flesher's Quadrille banjos for about 3-4 years now. Without any desire to re-open a discussion on whose banjos are the best, I can recommend Bob Flesher's banjos without reservation. The sound of a Flesher banjo is just as good as the appearance of same. I'm sure there are other banjo makers building banjos equally as satisfying, and I am in no way implying that any one banjo will satisfy everyone. However, the original questioner asked about Bob Flesher's banjos, and as an owner of a Flesher banjo I am very pleased with mine.

Subject: RE: Bob Flesher's Banjos
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Dec 04 - 12:04 PM

Have an original Buckdancer from the old Liberty days made by Bob,it truely is a remarkable Banjo, do not hesitate buy one and get the best.

Subject: RE: Bob Flesher's Banjos
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 20 Dec 04 - 01:39 PM

Thanks for adding to this thread Guest and Greg . This was just the kind of responce I was interested in hearing .. Lots of great makers out there but lets stay on Bob in this thread .. I would love to hear more on the wooden tone ring he makes and overall sound of his banjo's for clawhammer . Any other owners please add . I remember the Buckdancers from Brideport days and I wonder how different the sound of his new instroments are ???? All the best , Guy

Subject: RE: Bob Flesher's Banjos
From: Amos
Date: 12 Sep 05 - 05:09 PM

I wrote Bob recently enquiring about the stunning beautiful Jubilee bluegrass banjo on his website. It is the most ornate and loverly thing I have ever seen.

Unfortunately he is so in demand it would take three years to get one delivered, and th eprice is a bit out of my range by an order of magnitude. But he was quick and courteous to reply, and said he would look up the Mudcat thread about his banjos as he had not heard of us.

A

Subject: RE: Bob Flesher's Banjos
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 12 Sep 05 - 07:43 PM

I was glad to see this thread out again . Thanks Amos . I would love to get one of the plantation clawhammer ones I think but no maybe something a little more ornate ? The problem is I could have a few of his banjos /. I thinks thats why he' so busy !! If you get a chance to get one of Bob's cd's I know you would enjoy them !! All the best , Guy

Subject: RE: Bob Flesher's Banjos
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 12 Sep 05 - 07:48 PM

OK I think I would go with an Old Virginian first and then a Tarentilla and then a Quadrill I think in that order . All the best , Guy

Subject: RE: Bob Flesher's Banjos
From: GUEST,steve
Date: 31 Jan 09 - 11:35 AM

i just acquired a used but mint 1 of a kinf flesher "quadrille elite"..of the many fine banjos ive owned/own ( pre war mastertone, custom ome/wildwood/nechville) the flesher is the finest combo of both musical instrument and art object

Subject: RE: Bob Flesher's Banjos
From: oombanjo
Date: 31 Jan 09 - 02:14 PM

Hi Guy Check out www.romerobanjos.com he made my last banjo. It is on his 12" open back banjos with traditional rim page .Mine is the one on its own on the third line down with a Dobson 5th.I have been in love ever since I got it Cheers Oombanjo

Subject: RE: Bob Flesher's Banjos
From: GUEST,David
Date: 03 Apr 09 - 03:29 PM

I have something that may interest you. I own the first Jubilo (fancy top line open back on his site) built by Bob Flesher and have owned, played, and enjoyed looking at it on my wall with many others. I own three Flesher banjos and each is different simply due to individual characteristics that come with hand built techniques. The neck of my Jubilo is very delicate...similar to the profile of an SS Stewart Thoroughbred. Workmanship is wonderful. Binding in the headstock could be tighter but with so many short cuts, I suppose a seam is not an issue. I am not a fan of the Kreshner tailpiece. I had a custom tailpiece built and engraved that almost works like a noknot. Too, a premium skin head was installed. The combination made the tone very hollow, broad notes, increased volume, warm, etc.. The metal extension of a Kreshner tailpiece and downward pressure choked the tone in my view. The result was more baratone but now very open with lower, rounder tones. I'm glad to have them but in particular the Jubilo. It took nearly three years to get once ordered. Bob builds on his own schedule. If someone is in the market...resale is probably a good way to pick one up with prices being soft. Regardless, it would be a piece you would enjoy for a very long time. If any body has questions feel free to write at [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Bob Flesher's Banjos
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Apr 09 - 10:59 AM

I purchased a Liberty Buckdancer for my wife back in the 80s, it is amagnificent banjo, pity it as only been out of its case 4 or 5 times, realy should be played.

Subject: RE: Bob Flesher's Banjos
From: Amos
Date: 04 Apr 09 - 12:16 PM

Send it over here and I will promise to play it at least 200 times a year.



A

Subject: RE: Bob Flesher's Banjos
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 02 May 09 - 08:03 AM

Great fun to see the additions here. With years of making banjos its great to hear what people think of Bobs hard work !

Hello oombanjo and yes I am very interested in romero banjos .. Lets start a thread on the making and sound of these beautiful instruments and the man doing it !! All the best , Guy ..

Subject: RE: Bob Flesher's Banjos
From: GUEST,steve
Date: 06 Jun 09 - 03:16 PM

im playing my flesher quadrille elite ( with ebony tone ring) more and more in preference to my other metal tone ring models ( tube-a phone wildwood, super punchy nechville)....the latter 2 are great banjos , but that flesher is somehow as much a complete musical instrument than just a great banjo ( i play alot of classical/baroque stuff in addition to old-timey and bluegrass)...the flesher sound satisfies me and also doesnt seem to grate on my banjo-phobic wife as much as others ive had...my only reservation is that i wish it had a full fretboard instead of a frailing scoop since i need it for some tunes...but i knew that going in to the purchase of a used instrument...if i had the time and $ i'd commission a full fretboard one from bob without a moments hesitation in preference to any other brand on the market.

Subject: RE: Bob Flesher's Banjos
From: GUEST,Jerry
Date: 14 May 10 - 12:41 PM

I'm waiting on a custom banjo Bob is making for me to arrive. It will be along the Orleans Ne Plus design and will have custom inlay designed by me, I have known Bob since High School and College and know he builds a very fine instrument. I'm not a very good banjo player but I do enjoy it and hope that my big purchase gives me a better sound than I'm used to in my old instrument. I say 'go ahead and purchase one, you will not regret it.'